Arsenal player ratings in their 5-1 win over Bolton

Arsenal player ratings in their 5-1 win over Bolton

Eric Munene 09:39 - 26.09.2024

Ethan Nwaneri bagged a brace for Arsenal and Sterling opened his account for the Gunners.

Arsenal cruised into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a dominant 5-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium.

Youngster Ethan Nwaneri shone brightly, scoring twice, while Declan Rice, Raheem Sterling, and Kai Havertz also found the net in a comfortable win for the Gunners.

The match began with an early scare for Arsenal, as Bolton's Scott Arfield missed a close-range opportunity.

However, Declan Rice quickly settled nerves by scoring the opener in the 12th minute, capitalising on poor defensive work from Bolton. Nwaneri doubled the lead just before halftime, tapping in a cross from Raheem Sterling.

After the break, Nwaneri struck again, taking advantage of a sloppy Bolton pass. Bolton responded shortly after, with Aaron Collins scoring on a counter-attack, but Arsenal restored their cushion through Sterling and later, Havertz, ensuring a comprehensive victory.

Arsenal Player ratings (4-3-3)

GK: Jack Porter - 6/10

The 16-year-old made his debut and had little to do, though he was left exposed for Bolton's goal. A valuable experience for the young keeper.

RB: Josh Nichols - 7/10

Instrumental in setting up the first goal, Nichols was solid defensively and effective in attack, seeing plenty of the ball down the right flank.

CB: Jakub Kiwior - 6/10

Had a few shaky moments against Collins but was generally reliable in defense, winning most duels without much trouble.

CB: Riccardo Calafiori - 6/10

Strong in possession with good long passes, though he was booked in the first half and was close to conceding a penalty with an early mistake.

LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly - 7/10

Put in an impressive shift both defensively and offensively until a worrying injury limited his impact later in the match.

DM: Jorginho - 7/10

Controlled the midfield with calmness and intelligence, helping to shield the defense while distributing the ball effectively.

CM: Ethan Nwaneri - 9/10

A standout performance from the young talent. His two goals showcased his composure, and he was a creative force throughout the game.

CM: Declan Rice - 9/10

Opened the scoring with a well-placed shot and provided an assist for Nwaneri's second. Dominant in midfield and consistently involved in play.

RW: Bukayo Saka - 7/10

A constant threat down the right, Saka's pace and skill caused problems for Bolton's defense. He contributed significantly with an assist for Sterling’s goal.

ST: Gabriel Jesus - 7/10

Worked hard in the attacking third and came close to scoring, though he was ultimately unable to find the net in this match.

LW: Raheem Sterling - 8/10

An electric performance that included a goal and an assist. Sterling's pace and dribbling made him a nightmare for the Bolton defense, showcasing his quality.

Arsenal's mix of experience and youth shone through, especially with standout performances from Nwaneri and Sterling. The Gunners will look to build on this momentum as they progress in the competition.